Virgilio S. Almario discussed what Filipino culture means and what Philippine society values, cherishes and protects. He explored the evolution of the Filipino culture and society, which are influenced and shaped by myths, legends and folktales, especially in pre-colonial times. Drawing on symbols and artifacts in Filipino historical and literary texts, Almario discussed the importance for the Filipinos to reimagine and rediscover themselves and their heritage for a strong cultural identity. He will conclude with an analysis of the future of the Filipino culture and literature with a thought-provoking question: Are folk narratives vestiges of an irrelevant past, or wisdom for surviving the modern world? The event was co-sponsored with Sentro Rizal Washington DC and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines.
Speaker Biography: Virgilio S. Almario is chairman of the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and National Artist for Literature.
For transcript and more information, visit www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feat...